Why do we sit the way we sit? The story of the evolution of design in the heart of Malá Strana

Have you ever wondered why your favorite chair looks the way it does? Is it just a piece of furniture, or the result of a revolution in thinking? The Design Museum in Malá Strana opens its doors to a world where everyday objects tell a fascinating story about all of us through the exhibition "The Evolution of Modern Design."

Stepping into the Design Museum in Malá Strana means letting Prague's Baroque backdrop disappear for a moment and immersing yourself in the lineage that defined our modern present. The exhibition is designed as a fluid journey through time. You walk through the museum and observe how human desires, materials, and taste have changed. From an ornate past to a minimalist present.

From Czech Cubism to the timeless Vrátník

The main protagonist of this journey is the chair. It is on the chair that we can best observe how we, as humanity, have matured. The exhibition will present you with pieces that shocked in their time and are now considered untouchable icons.

Cubist experiment: Be fascinated by the unique Czech imprint – Cubist furniture that attempted to transfer the principles of modern painting into three-dimensional objects. It is a design that you will not find in such intensity anywhere else in the world.

Ladislav Vrátník and the elegance of the 1960s: Discover the clean lines and timelessness of Ladislav Vrátník's works. His work is proof that Czechoslovak design kept pace with the world's best and, even after decades, appears incredibly modern.

Design as an introduction to a new world

This exhibition is deliberately our first. We want visitors to become acquainted with design as a whole – to understand how individual eras build upon each other and how technology (from wood to steel to plastic) has changed the shape of things around us. It is an essential foundation for you to fully enjoy our future, narrowly focused exhibitions that we are already preparing.

"Design is not just about aesthetics; it is an answer to human needs. Our goal is to show that every object has its own evolutionary code."

A piece of inspiration for your home too

Your journey does not have to end with just viewing the exhibits. Our Design Shop welcomes you right at the entrance. It is a curated selection of the best from both the local and global scene. Here you can purchase a piece from talented Czech designers or opt for a global classic, such as iconic accessories from the Alessi brand.

Who is the exhibition for?

Simply put, for everyone. The language of the exhibition and the entire museum is friendly and understandable. We are not a closed gallery for experts but an open space for tourists and locals who want to get acquainted with the world of design.

Plan your visit

We want your visit to the design exhibition to be above all a pleasant experience. That's why we have prepared everything you need:

• Where to find us: U Lužického semináře 11, Malá Strana (just a few steps from Charles Bridge).

• Opening hours: Every day 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM. (Last entry recommended at 6:30 PM).

• Admission (including coffee): The price of each ticket includes good coffee from a Czech roastery, which you can enjoy in our outdoor seating area.

  • Basic: 250 CZK

  • Reduced: 150 CZK (students, seniors, children)

  • Family: 500 CZK (up to 4 people – 2 adults, 2 children)

A small note: Our historic building has its unique charm, but also its limitations. There is a prominent step right at the entrance, so please be careful when entering.

Come and see how the world you live in now evolved. We look forward to seeing you in Malá Strana!